Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties

As the double title suggests, this game from Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and Sega contains two separate stories within a single package. Yakuza Kiwami 3 is a remake of the action-adventure, beat 'em up game Yakuza 3, in which ex-Yakuza Kazuma Kiryu fights to protect his loved ones. The original game was released in Japan in 2009, followed by a Western release in 2010, later receiving a remaster in 2021. 'Kiwami' means 'ultimate' or 'extreme'. Dark Ties is an entirely new experience featuring Yoshitaka Mine, Kazuma Kiryu's main rival in Yakuza 3, who is popular with fans.

In Yakuza Kiwami 3, Kazuma Kiryu and his adoptive daughter Haruka Sawamura have settled in Okinawa, a tropical Japanese prefecture, to run the Morning Glory Orphanage. However, when the government and the Yakuza both set their sights on the beachfront property, Kiryu realises that, to protect those he cares about, he must fight and make sacrifices. The game features several new elements, including new cutscenes and extra side quests. However, it takes a while for the story to get going, and some of the changes and additions are questionable. It has been rebuilt from the ground up using the in-house Dragon Engine, which brings vivid outdoor environments to life on screen. However, the engine is now showing its age (not only in this game). A major upgrade is overdue.

As in the original, there is a lot of fighting in Yakuza 3 Kiwami, and it is in real time (unlike in Like A Dragon or Infinite Wealth). It is a brawler, but this time players can choose between two powerful fighting styles: 'Dragon of Dojima: Kiwami', an action-packed brawling style, featuring the largest variety of attack techniques in the series' history, and the new 'Ryukyu Style', a technical, weapon-based action style inspired by traditional Okinawan weapon arts, allowing players to unleash combo techniques using eight different types of weapon, including nunchakus.

Players can switch between the two fighting styles at any time during combat. The fights feel fluid and dynamic, as well as powerful and over the top. And through various missions and training Kiryu strengthen his combat skills and can develop an own style with the upgrade system, which offers the largest number of learnable techniques to date. Yakuza Kiwami 3 also adds a new feature that allows you to equip Kiryu's cell phone with items such as charms to boost his motivation and improve his combat abilities.

Another wholly new addition is 'Legendary Baddie, Bad Boy Dragon', a team battle mode in which players aim to build the ultimate biker gang. Taking on the role of the chairman of a ladies' biker gang, players must fight to protect Okiwana from outside forces hoping to take over their turf. They manage their gang by recruiting more baddies, customising motorcycles, unlocking weapons and racing through enemy territory on strategic missions that offer a new take on combat.

But it's not all fighting. With Kiryu becoming the manager of Morning Glory Orphanage, it's his job to look after the children who live there - that's also a new element of the game compared to Yakuza 3. Together, activities include cooking, sewing to make bags and pouches, tending to a home garden, helping with homework, fishing and even bug-catching. Players can make Kiryu stronger by doing chores and interacting with the orphans. The more fatherly he becomes, the more activities he can access. Daily interactions with the children will also unlock substories for each of them. Some have trouble making friends, some worry about the future and some have even fallen in love. There is also a Daddy Rank that reflects Kiryu's development as a carer at Morning Glory. Items obtained by spending time with the children can be sold for cash at the Morning Glory Market to furnish the orphanage and buy new ingredients.

Of course, there are also new karaoke songs and other new minigames, including 12 Game Gear titles such as Galaga 2, Fantasy Zone, Sonic Drift and Streets of Rage. Despite the new features, however, the original game's flair and feel remain largely intact.

Dark Ties, on the other hand, tells a new story in which Yoshitaka Mine — Kiryu's main foe from Yakuza 3 — is the protagonist. At the start of the game, players can choose to play either Yakuza 3 Kiwami or Dark Ties. The two game segments are completely separate from each other. Dark Ties depicts the events leading up to Yakuza 3, shedding light on Mine's origins and his search for unwavering bonds. It also reveals the path that led him, once the head of a venture company, to become engulfed in the world of the yakuza.

This is the first time that Mine is playable. Players can explore Kamurocho, a fictional red-light and entertainment district in Tokyo. This district is modelled on the real-life Kabukichō district. Mine's fighting style centres on boxing, or more specifically, shoot-boxing. By attacking enemies, he fills up his power bar, leading to the Dark Awakening. In this state, he unleashes his inner darkness in battle, triggering a rampage of combos and strikes infused with the power of darkness.

Rather than demonstrating his fighting skills in the story campaign, he will do so in 'Hell's Arena', an underground fight club with a variety of unique rules. There will be Hellish Brawls, one-on-one fights and 'Survival Hell' mode. In the latter, players must fight their way through underground dungeons and hunters to reach the goal and complete the challenge. This will reward them with treasures that can be used to unlock new abilities and upgrade Mine's skills.

But there's more. In Kanda Damage Control, Mine must improve Tsuyoshi Kanda's image and help him rise through the ranks by spearheading a major PR campaign. Solving the problems of the many people in Kamurocho who are saddled with woes will boost Kanda's public perception (Good Deed Quests and Helping the Little People). Progressing in Kanda Damage Control unlocks Drink Links, which delve deeper into your relationship with Kanda. Mine can also complete a variety of Damage Control Challenge missions to raise Kanda's reputation. These range from taking out punks on the streets to winning big in minigames.

Alongside the original Japanese voice acting, a full English voiceover (as well as Chinese) is included in this version of the game. German is also available for in-game text. Members of the Yakuza/Like A Dragon community have criticised the decision to replace the voice actor for Goh Hamazaki with Teruyuki Kagawa, who is facing allegations of sexually harassing hostesses (#REMOVEKAGAWA). Additionally, the voice actors for other characters have been replaced as their performances and designs were deemed inappropriate. The game has had to deal with this issue even before its release.

The Yakuza, or Like a Dragon, franchise, established in 2005, has been hugely successful for Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and Sega in recent years. According to Sega Sammy's Annual Integrated Report 2023, published at the end of 2023, the series had sold 21.3 million units. By November 2024, this figure had risen to 27.7 million. While the 2025 Annual Integrated Report does not mention a specific figure, it is speculated that sales have surpassed 30 million.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon, the eighth mainline entry and the first to feature turn-based combat, was released in 2020. It contributed significantly to the series' success, with 2.86 million units sold. Its sequel, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (the ninth main series entry), released in 2024, reached the one million sales milestone one week after launch and has since sold over 1.66 million units. In addition to the main series, there are regular remakes, re-releases, and spin-offs.

These include: Lost Judgment (2021), Like a Dragon: Ishin! (2023, a remake of Ryū ga Gotoku Ishin!), the spin-off Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name (2023; sold 960,000 units), the spin-off Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii (2025) and Yakuza 0 Director's Cut (2025), an expanded re-release of the prequel to the Yakuza series.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is set to launch on 12 February 2026 for €59.99 on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S and PC (Steam). The game will also be available as a physical boxed edition for PC, PS5 and Switch 2 (via Plaion). The Digital Deluxe edition will give players access to additional content, including extra characters for the 'Ryukyu Gal Gang', customisation items, additional background music tracks, and more.

Conclusion

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is a delightful double pack, offering familiar Yakuza combat alongside a plethora of side activities. Overall, it's good Yakuza fodder, but it all feels a little too safe.

Features

• Extended remake of Yakuza 3
• Completely new storyline with Yoshitaka Mine in the lead role
• Fierce battles, numerous side activities and mini-games